Shipping means and method



June 1, 1965 D. G. MINICK ETAL 3,186,543

SHIPPING MEANS AND METHOD Filed Dec. 28, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTORS DAVID G. MINICK RUSSELL E. MILLER BY HUGH P. QUINN ATTORNEYS June 1, 1965 D. G. MlNlCK ETAL 3,186,543

SHIPPING MEANS AND METHOD Filed Dec. 28, 1962 2 Sheets-Shet 2 Fig. 8

9 ['9' INVENTORS 38a. 38 DAVID G. MINICK RUSSELL E. MILLER BY HUGH R QUINN ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,186,543 SHIPPING MEANS AND METHOD David G. Miniclr, Mayfield Heights, Russell E. Miller, Euclid, and Hugh P. Quinn, (Ileveland, Ghio, assignors to The Lindsay Wire Weaving Company, Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Filed Dec. 28, 1962, Ser. No. 247,888 15 Claims. ((11. Mid-% This invention relates in general to an apparatus and a method for shipping purposes, and more particularly to an apparatus and a method for shipping relatively heavy flexible material, such as woven wire cloth.

Woven wire cloth is used, for instance, for the form ing tables of paper making machines, and in packaging such cloth for shipment to users, it is conventionally rolled upon three lengthwise oriented, pyramided poles or tubes and then the latter are coupled or bound together, to prevent creasing of the wire cloth during the shipment thereof, since such creasing destroys the usefulness of the wire cloth, especially for use on paper making machines. When multiple layers of such wire cloth are wound or wrapped on the aforementioned poles and shipped, there has been found to be considerable movement and vibration of the layers of wire cloth with respect to the poles, due in part to relatively rapid stops and starts made by the carrier transporting the wire cloth, such as for instance truck lines or railroads. This has often caused movement and especially telescoping movement of the wire cloth with respect to the mounting poles, resulting in twisting and damage to the wire cloth.

The present invention provides an apparatus arrangement and a method of urging the poles with the flexible material or wire cloth wrapped therearound, outwardly from one another, thereby tightening the wire cloth on the poles, and preventing relative movement between the cloth and the poles especially during shipment of the cloth, and thus preventing vibration, and damage to the wire cloth during the handling thereof. Moreover, the structural strength of the wire cloth and pole bundle has been increased as compared to that heretofore used.

Accordingly, an object of the invention is to provide a novel apparatus adapted for shipping flexible material.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel shipping apparatus for flexible material, including an expansible member, for tightening the flexible material on the apparatus, to prevent relative movement between the apparatus and the flexible material.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a novel apparatus for shipping woven Wire cloth wherein the cloth is wound upon a plurality of lengthwise oriented, pyramided cylindrical members, and there is provided an inflatable means disposed between the tubular members, for urging the latter outwardly away from one another upon inflation of said inflatable means, to tighten the wire cloth material with respect to the tubular members.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of the latter type wherein the inflatable means comprises an elongated, flexible plastic tube or tubes having valve means associated therewith, for inflating the tube and retaining the inflating fluid within the tube.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a novel method of preparing flexible material such as for instance woven wire cloth, for shipment, to prevent damage to such material.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a generally perspective view illustrating the shipping apparatus used for shipping Woven wire cloth, and more particularly three tubular members or poles coupled or banded together and on which is wound flexiilhhfiifi Patented June 1, 1965 ble material such as the aforementioned wire cloth material;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, generally diagrammatic, end elevational view illustrating diagrammatically the woven wire cloth material wound upon the tubular members, and illustrating the inflatable means disposed between the tubular members preparatory to inflating the same;

FIG. 3 is a view generally similar to that of FIG. 2, but illustrating the inflatable means having been inflated to cause urging of the tubular members outwardly with respect to one another and upward forcing of certain of the wire cloth layers, thereby tightening the wire cloth material on the tubular members, to prevent relative movement between the woven wire cloth material and the tubular members, and vibratory motion of one member with respect to another;

FIG. 4 is a top plan View of the inflatable means or expansible plastic bag illustrated for instance in FIGS. 2 and 3;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged vertcial sectional view taken generally along the plane of line 55 of FIG. 4, looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view of the inflatable member of FIG. 4, with such member being disposed in inflated condition;

FIG. 7 is a vertical sectional view generally similar to that of FIG. 6, but illustrating a modification of the invention, and more particularly an inflatable member utilizing two layers or sleeves of plastic material, for forming the inflatable member;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary top plan view of the inflatable member illustrated in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a vertical sectional view generally similar to that of FIG. 7, but illustrating a further modification of the invention;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary top plan view illustrating a modification from that shown in FIG. 4, and more particularly an inflatable member having a V-type of end construction;

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary top plan view illustrating a further modification of the invention.

Referring now again to the drawings, there is illustrated in FIG. 1, a shipping apparatus which is utilized in accordance with the instant invention for shipping flexible material, and for instance the aforementioned woven wire cloth for paper making machines, to a point of use. Such apparatus broadly comprises three poles or tubular members'ltl, 12 and 14 of suitable strength for supporting the quantity of wire cloth associated there with and on which the wire cloth material W in endless belt form may be wound in the general manner illustrated for instance in FIG. 2. In other words, commencing with for instance one end X of an endless wire cloth belt and with pole or tube 19 disposed interiorly of said belt end, the material of the belt is disposed around such tube and then is wound around the adjacent tube or pole 12 positioned in juxtaposed relation with the tube 10 but exteriorly of the belt, and then the belt material may be wound around both tubes iii and 12. The other end Y of the belt may receive the other tube 14 and be oriented into the pyramidal relation shown, and then bands 16 may be placed around the ends of the pyramided tubular members, to maintain the belt and the tubular members in assembled condition. The banded tubular package may then be placed in a shipping case or carton for facilitating the handling and the protection of the package. However, irrespective of how tightly the woven wire belt W is initially attempted to be wound around the tubes 10', 12 and 14, during shipment of such packages, the wire material often times shifts or moves telescopically with respect to the mounting cylinders ill, 12 and 14, causing damage and distortion to the wires of the woven wire cloth material. bratory motion between the cylinders, and between the latter and the cloth. It will be understood, of course, that FlGS. 2 and 3 are merely diagrammaticjand in actual practice at least the lower tubes 10 and 12 would generally be disposed in substantially juxtaposed relationship with respect to one another, rather than in the materially spaced relation shown, but such spaced relaofcloth may be wound about such tubes.

Now, in accordance with the instant invention, there is provided means 18 disposed intermediate the poles or tubular members 10, 12 and 14 in the cavity 19 defined thereby, for applying force to the flexible wire material and urging outward movement of the poles with respect to one another, and thus tensioning the wire cloth uponv the poles, as well as generally aiding in supporting the poles against deflection intermediate their ends. Such means 13 may take the form of an elongated expansible tube or sleeve 20 (FIG. 4) which. has been sealed as at 20a at its ends, and which has been provided with suitable valve means 22 of conventional type, for injecting fluid into the tube, and inflating and deflating the same. Such inflatable member may be formed for instance of high 'density polyethylenetubing having for example a .008

inch thickness of material. Such flexible tubular member is easily handled, is economical, and can be readily inserted between the tubular members with the wire material thereon, and then inflated, so as to cause the tensioning of the flexible wire material on the tubular members. As can be best seen from FIGS. 2 and 3, the expansible member 20 may be readily placed beneath the layers 23 of wire material W, in cavity 19, and with the valve means 22 being accessible to the exterior of the pyramided poles, for inflation of member 20; During such inflation, the layers 23 may be forced upwardly as shown and the wire material is not only tightened on the tubular members, but also the knuckles or mother words 7 the conventional wavedportions of the wire formed during weaving thereof, nest with one another, thereby aiding to reduce vibration, and producing a more integrated package for preventing telescoping of the layers of wire on the shippingpoles, under vibratory or other shock situations. United States Patent No. 2,992,469 issued July' 18, 1961 to A. G. Hose et al. adequately illustrates the aforementioned knuckles on woven wire cloth' for paper making machines. It has been determined that a desirable inflation pressure for such a tubular member formed of the aforementioned high density polyethylene of the indicated material thickness, is approximately ten pounds per square inch,fand with the minimum pressure being preferably held to approximately five pounds per square inch. 7

Referring now to FIG. 7,.there is shown a modified form of expansible member wherein an inner tube or 'jacketiofthe flexible plastic material, such as for'in stance the aforementioned high density polyethylene, is

7 provided, disposed in telescoped relation in an outer tube v 26 of such polyethylene plastic material." Howevenwith such'a double wall orjacket arrangement, a high density polyethylene tubing of .0O4'inch thickness may be used a for each of the tubing jackets] in order'to provide an arrangement for releasing any airwhich might be trapped between the inner and outer jackets, the outerntubular. member 26 may be provided with circular openings or. apertures 28 therein, for permitting the'escape of any such trapped air Accordingly, it will be seen that-the Also there has existed considerable vi- ,1 outer jacket or tube 26 acts as an outer casing to provide mechanical strength andv support for the inner tube 24 and itself is not adapted to hold air.

In addition to the aforementioned high density polyethylene material, it will be understood that other plastic materials may be utilized; for instance, polyvinyl film is suitable, which polyvinyl film has an even greater resist ance to air pressure loss due to gas diffusion through the tube wall than does the polyethylene tubing. Such polyvinyl tubing arrangement can be produced in a generally similar manner as aforementioned in connection with the polyethylenetubing and may be provided in the double wall construction suggested for the polyethylene tubing. For instance, referring to FIG. 9, an innerjacket 34 formed of .010 inch thickness'vinyl film, heat sealed or otherwise adhered along an edge 32 thereof and at the ends 32a thereof, may be provided for the inner tube, with a .006 inch thick low density polyethylene tube 34 for the outer jacket or tube. The outer jacket 34 may be provided with apertures'therethrough similarly to the arrangement of FIGS; 5 and 6, and provides abrasion and punctureresistance for the inner tube. Moreover, the rubbers might be used for the material of the expansible member, or plastic and rubber coated fabrics formed into the elongatedtube.

Referring now toFIG. '10, there is disclosed an improved arrangement for the ends of the plastic tubing, and wherein such ends are adhered or heat sealed in a kind of a chevron arrangement 36 so as to create a V notch, at the end of the tube. This. aidsin preventing pinhole leakage from developing, and causes the two points36a, '36bof the chevron to pull together after inflation, which produces an end configuration which is more puncture resistant; a

' FIG. 11 discloses a'n expansible tubing with an end thereof having an elongated strap portion 38 formed integrally therewith, and having an aperture 380 therethrough. Aperature 38a may receive a wire or the like for pulling the .expansible member into cavity 19. Such wire. may be encased in plastic for ease in inserting through cavity 19, lengthwise of the mountingcylinders, in the pulling of the expansible member into position.

It will be seen that the tubing is very economical to produce, and can be readily provided in any desired length as welllas width, for improving the shipment of flexible materiaksuch as for instance the aforementioned woven wire cloth. t. is preferable that the inflatable member extend for substantially the full length of extension of the wire cloth on the tubular supporting members, and aids. in eliminating all dimples or" other deflections =in thelayers of cloth material. Wound on the j tubular members.

The following is a table which maybe utilized to determine the deflated width of tubular, member which is. desirable for use with various diameters .of the shipping poles, and which have been found to be satisfactory in providing. for adequate tensioning' of wire material on the poles, as well as aiding in removalrof deflections 1n the wire material as Wound on thespolesz Donated 7 Width, inches Shipping ole Diameter,

niches.

ble material, and wherein the flexible material is held immovable with respect to the apparatus, and more particularly a novel apparatus comprising a plurality of elongated members about which the flexible material is wrapped to prevent creasing and distortion of the flexible material, and including expansible means for urging the elongated members outwardly with respect to one another, to thereby generally tension the flexible material on the elongated members and prevent relative movement therebetween.

The terms and expressions which have been used are used as terms of description and not of limitation, and there is no intention in the use of such terms and expressions of excluding any equivalents of any of the fea tures shown or described, or portions thereof, and it is recognized that various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention claimed.

We claim:

1. A shipping apparatus for shipping flexible material comprising a plurality of elongated members disposed in lengthwise oriented relation about which the flexible material is wound, means holding said elongated members together, said means being spaced from said flexible material, and inflatable means disposed intermediate said members for urging outward movement of the elongated members with respect to one another, whereby the flexible material will be tensioned on such elongated members upon expansion of said inflatable means.

2. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said inflatable means comprises an elongated collapsible tube including valve means on said tube adjacent an end thereof for readily inserting and withdrawing fluid from the tube.

3. An apparatus in accordance with claim 2 wherein there is provided three of said elongated members disposed in pyramidal relationship and with said tube being disposed between the uppermost of said elongated members and the two adjacent lowermost elongated members.

4. An apparatus in accordance with claim 2 wherein said tube is comprised of a flexible plastic material such as for instance polyethylene film.

5. An elongated inflatable tube adapted for disposal between a plurality of pole-like members about which is Wrapped flexible material for tensioning the material on the pole-like members by urging the latter outwardly with respect to one another, said tube being comprised of flexible, generally air impervious material defining an elongated generally flat article when in deflated condition, means for inserting fluid into the tube and maintaining it therein for inflating the tube, and the ends of the tube being sealed in an inwardly extending V- shaped configuration in plan View.

6. A tube in accordance with claim 5 wherein the tube is comprised of an inner fluid retaining jacket member,

and a flexible outer jacket member encompassing said i inner jacket member.

7. A tube in accordance with claim 6 wherein said outer jacket member has apertures therein to permit escape of air therethrough.

8. A tube in accordance with claim 6 wherein said inner jacket member is formed of a vinyl material, and the outer jacket member is formed of a polyethylene material, with the wall thickness of said inner jacket member 6 being materially greater than the wall thickness of said outer jacket member.

9. A tube in accordance with claim 5 wherein said tube material is of a heat sealable plastic type.

1%. A tube in accordance with claim 5 wherein said tube is comprised of a high density polyethylene material of predetermined wall thickness heat sealed at the ends thereof.

11. An elongated inflatable tube adapted for disposal between a plurality of pole-like members about which is wrapped flexible Woven wire cloth material for tensioning the material on the pole-like members by urging the latter outwardly with respect to one another, said tube being comprised of flexible heat scalable air impervious polymeric material defining an elongated generally flat article when in deflated condition, valve means adjacent one end of the tube for inserting air into the tube and maintaining it therein for inflating the tube, and the ends of the tube being heat sealed in an inwardly extend ing V-shaped configuration in plan view for aiding in preventing puncturing of the tube ends, the overall width or" the tube being greater than the overall height when the tube is in fully inflated condition.

12. A tube in accordance with claim 11 wherein at least one end of said tube has means for attaching a flexible member such as a wire, thereto.

13. A method of shipping flexible material comprising the steps of, winding the material onto a plurality of cylindrical-like members, coupling the cylindrical members together into a bundle, and then urging the cylindrical members outwardly relative to one another by fluid pressure inserted into an elongated inflatable member disposed between said cylindrical members, to cause tensioning of the flexible material on the cylindrical members.

114. A method in accordance with claim 13 wherein the fluid is inserted into said inflatable member at a pressure of between five and ten pounds per square inch.

15. A method of shipping flexible material comprising the steps of, winding the material onto three cylindricallike members and disposing the latter into pyramidal relation whereby such members define a lengthwise extending cavity therebetween, coupling the cylindrical members together into a bundle, pulling an elongated, fluid expansible member into said cavity, and inflating said expansible member to urge the cylindrical members outwardly relative to one another to cause tensioning of the flexible material on the cylindrical members.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 946,076 1/10 Sipp et al. 242110 2,449,591 9/48 Couse. 2,809,664 10/57 Vollrnor. 2,868,369 1/59 Webb 20659 2,919,059 12/59 Sporka 229--3.5 2,933,866 4/60 Cranston 5348 X 2,949,181 8/60 Buccino 206-633 3,028,981 4/62 Ford et al. 3,072,270 1/63 Tolby et al.

THERON E. CONDON, Primary Examiner.

FRANKLIN T. GARRETT, Examiner. 

1. A SHIPPING APPARATUS FOR SHIPPING FLEXIBLE MATERIAL COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF ELONGATED MEMBERS DISPOSED IN LENGTHWISE ORIENTED RELATION ABOUT WHICH THE FLEXIBLE MATERIAL IS WOUND, MEANS HOLDING SAID ELONGATED MEMBERS TOGETHER, SAID MEANS BEING SPACED FROM SAID FLEXIBLE MARERIAL, AND INFLATABLE MEANS DISPOSED INTERMEDIATE SAID MEMBERS FOR URGING OUTWARD MOVEMENT OF THE ELONGATED MEMBERS WITH RESPECT TO ONE ANOTHER, WHEREBY THE FLEXIBLE MATERIAL WILL BE TENSIONED ON SUCH ELONGATED MEMBERS UPON EXPANSION OF SAID INFLATABLE MEANS. 